Iowa officials say state Medicaid website is up

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa officials say a state website that people can use to apply for health insurance is working again.

The state Department of Human Services says a website for Medicaid eligibility became available again Saturday night. The agency told The Des Moines Register (http://dmreg.co/1afi3oC ) the website was down earlier because it was undergoing scheduled maintenance.

The issue affects Iowans who tried to apply for insurance through the federal hub and were told they might qualify for Medicaid. DHS sent emails and letters to nearly 16,000 Iowans to tell them a delay in paperwork on the federal level meant they should use the state website, and there was no guarantee of coverage on Jan. 1.

DHS spokeswoman Amy Lorentzen McCoy says an alternative call center number will be available during the week.